HOUMA (June 4, 2010) - The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) this week helped to connect another 1,800 Louisianians to BP training specific to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, making them ready for possible clean-up jobs, the LWC reported today. The LWC is working closely with PEC Premier of Mandeville, training coordinator for the entire Gulf Coast region for the oil spill response.

Several hundred job seekers in the Houma and New Iberia areas applied recently for potential oil spill clean-up jobs through the LWC network of Business & Career Solutions Centers. LWC state and local staff contacted these applicants via its outreach and recruitment services to get them the required training and assist companies that are contracted for oil spill clean-up work in identifying local, qualified job seekers.

"We want to ensure that Louisiana is ready with trained applicants whenever the need for oil spill workers arises," said Curt Eysink, LWC executive director. "We are doing everything we can to put Louisianians to work and help with the clean-up efforts."

This week's efforts follow a similar two-day push in Houma last week that saw nearly 700 applicants in the LWC system get training for immediate oil spill clean-up work.

Training and recruitment efforts are ongoing, with LWC and PEC teaming to provide qualified individuals who are ready for hire.

Workforce Commission services are offered at no cost to employers and participating job seekers.

A toll-free hotline has been established by BP to discuss spill-related damage claims, including loss of income: 1-800-440-0858.